🏇 Nomadic Empires – Class 11 History Notes
❇️ Nomadic Empires
- The idea of a Nomadic Empire (यायावर साम्राज्य) seems contradictory, since nomads were basically wanderers (घुमक्कड़).
- The Mongols of Central Asia established a trans-continental empire and introduced a powerful military system (सैनिक तंत्र) and effective methods of governance (शासन संचालन).
📜 Historical Sources of Nomadic Societies
- Chronicles (इतिवृत), travelogues (यात्रा वृतांत), and documents by urban writers.
- Sources available in Chinese, Mongolian, Persian, and Arabic languages.
- Also found in Italian, Latin, French, and Russian texts → provide key information about the expansion of the Mongol Empire.
🌍 Features of Central Asian Nomadic Empires
- In the 13th & 14th centuries, Mongols under Genghis Khan (चंगेज़ खान) built a vast empire.
- Their empire extended across Europe and Asia.
- Compared to agricultural empires like China, nomads lived a simple and rugged (कठिन) life in the steppe.
- Yet, they were never isolated; they maintained contacts, exchanges, and influences with other regions.
❇️ Barbar (बर्बर)
- Word ‘Barbar’ comes from Greek Barbaros, meaning non-Greek people (ग़ैर-यूनानी लोग).
👥 Social Life of Mongols
- Mongol society had diverse groups:
- Pastoralists (पशुपालक) – reared horses, sheep, camels.
- Hunter-gatherers (शिकारी-संग्राहक) – lived in Siberian forests, poorer than pastoralists.
- Pastoralists lived in Central Asian steppes (घास के मैदान).
- Farming was possible in some regions, but Mongols did not adopt agriculture.
- Families and clans formed confederations (परिसंघ) for defence and raids.
- They fought over pastures (चारागाह) and looted livestock.
⚔️ Military Organization of Mongols
- Every soldier was a healthy, armed horseman (घुड़सवार योद्धा).
- Army included people of different tribes and ethnic groups (e.g., Turks, Keraits).
- Organized under the decimal system (दशमलव प्रणाली) of the steppe:
- Largest unit: 10,000 soldiers.
- Tribal groups were reorganized into new military units for discipline.
🏰 Conquest of Bukhara
- In the 13th century, Mongols captured Bukhara (in Iran).
- Described by Persian chronicler Juvayni (1220 CE).
- After victory, Genghis Khan addressed the city’s wealthy merchants:
- “People! You have committed many sins. The richer you are, the greater your sins. I am the scourge (दंड) of God. If you had not sinned, God would not have sent me to punish you.”
👑 Mongol Rule in the 13th Century
- By mid-13th century, Mongols emerged as a unified group (एकीकृत जनसमूह).
- They created the largest empire ever seen in the world till then.
- They ruled over complex urban societies with diverse histories, cultures, and laws.
- Though politically dominant, Mongols always remained a numerical minority (अल्पसंख्यक) in their empire.
🌏 Genghis Khan & The Mongol Empire
❇️ Genghis Khan (चंगेज़ खान)
🔹 Born in 1162 CE in Mongolia, original name Temujin.
🔹 After defeating Jamuka and Naimans decisively in 1206 CE, he became the most powerful leader of the steppes.
🔹 He took the title “Genghis Khan” (Universal Ruler – सार्वभौम शासक) and was declared the Great Leader of the Mongols.
❇️ Genghis Khan’s Place in World History
🔹 A great ruler for the Mongols who united scattered tribes.
🔹 Freed them from Chinese exploitation (शोषण).
🔹 Built a Trans-continental Empire (पार-महाद्वीपीय साम्राज्य).
🔹 Restored trade routes & markets.
🔹 His empire was multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-religious.
🔹 Today, Mongolia remembers him as a National Hero & Revered Leader (महान राष्ट्रनायक व आराध्य व्यक्ति).
❇️ Military Achievements of Genghis Khan ⚔️
🔹 Expert Cavalry (घुड़सवार सेना).
🔹 Superb Archery skills (तीरंदाजी कौशल).
🔹 Knowledge of seasons & weather.
🔹 Siege warfare techniques (घेरा बंदी नीति).
🔹 Use of Naphtha bombs (नेफ्था बम).
🔹 Creation of light movable weapons (हल्के चल उपकरण).
❇️ Achievements of Genghis Khan’s Descendants 👑
🔹 Recruited people of all races & religions in administration & army.
🔹 Maintained multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-religious empire.
🔹 Formed a confederation of diverse communities.
🔹 Even in different regions, the inspiration of Genghis Khan remained strong.
🔹 Accepted & included people of different faiths – Shamanism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam – without imposing personal beliefs.
❇️ Achievements for the Mongols 🌟
🔹 United Mongols & freed them from tribal wars & Chinese oppression.
🔹 Created a prosperous, trans-continental empire.
🔹 Restored trade routes & markets, attracting travelers like Marco Polo.
🔹 His contradictory image shows how different perspectives shape history.
❇️ Timur & Genghis Khan’s Lineage 🏹
🔹 In the 14th century, Timur wanted to be a world conqueror.
🔹 Since he was not a descendant of Genghis Khan, he presented himself as the son-in-law (दामाद) of the Genghisid family to claim legitimacy.
❇️ “Yasa” (यास) – The Mongol Code of Law 📜
🔹 Introduced by Genghis Khan in 1206 CE at Kuriltai.
🔹 Meaning: Law, decree, command (विधि, आज्ञप्ति, आदेश).
🔹 Contained rules for administration, hunting, army & postal system.
🔹 By mid-13th century, became the basis for Mongol imperial unity.
🔹 Helped maintain identity & tribal distinction among Mongols.
🔹 Declared sacred to enforce authority over conquered people.
🔹 Inspired by Genghis Khan’s vision of a world empire.
❇️ Wars & Destruction in Early 13th Century 🔥
🔹 Cities destroyed, farmlands damaged, trade collapsed.
🔹 Handicraft production disrupted.
🔹 Thousands killed, many enslaved.
🔹 Nobles to peasants – everyone suffered.
❇️ Decline of the Mongol Empire ⬇️
🔶 Main Reasons:
🔹 Small population, less civilized than conquered subjects.
🔹 Internal conflicts & adoption of local cultures.
🔹 Acceptance of different religions weakened unity.
